Rockies' Ian Desmond breaks hand in spring game

Free agent acquisition will be reevaluated in coming days

By Nick Groke

The Denver Post

Posted:
03/12/2017 06:29:37 PM MDT

Updated:
03/12/2017 11:27:59 PM MDT

Colorado Rockies' Ian Desmond watches his two run home run against the Seattle Mariners during fourth inning of a spring training game on March 4 in Scottsdale, Ariz.. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Rockies leaped into a risky move in December when they signed shortstop-turned-outfielder Ian Desmond to a rich, lengthy contract to play first base. The risk, it seemed, was asking him to suit up for a position he had never played.

But the danger waiting for Desmond was at the plate. The Rockies' high-profile offseason free agent signing was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning of a Cactus League game Sunday and broke his hand, the team said.

X-rays showed that Desmond fractured a bone on his glove side. His prognosis was not immediately known. He will be reevaluated with a hand specialist in the coming days.

Desmond is likely out for at least a month, based on similar injury patterns.

"It's a bummer," Colorado manager Bud Black said. "It's a tough loss for us and a bad break for Ian. But at least it's in spring. He'll bounce back from this."

Desmond was hit by a pitch from Reds' right-hander Rookie Davis, a fastball that sailed inside high. Desmond walked to first base, but when the Reds made a pitching change, the Rockies removed Desmond from the game. Desmond was attended to immediately by Rockies manager Bud Black, trainer Keith Dugger and several players. His hand was wrapped in a brace and he soon walked with an escort to the Colorado clubhouse. He left the complex without speaking.

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Davis, the Reds pitcher, had injured his right ankle but remained in the game. He said after his exit that his ankle was hurting so much, he was unable to put regular pressure down as he stepped through his windup. And that caused the pitch to get away.

"The way I was throwing, I wanted to stay out and keep going," David told the Cincinnati Enquirer after he limped out of the game.

The Rockies, within the past week, lost starting pitcher Chad Bettis after his cancer spread. They lost starter Chris Rusin too, who suffered an oblique strain. Less than two weeks ago, they lost outfielder David Dahl to a rib injury. And relief pitcher Chad Qualls is suffering an elbow injury, it was learned Sunday.

"Real tough week, no doubt about it," Black said.

Jordan Patterson replaced Desmond at first base. Right fielder Stephen Cardullo hit a grand slam in the Rockies' next at-bat.

Desmond signed a five-year, $70 million contract in December to play first base for the Rockies, a position he had never played. They are counting on him to add even more force to a potent offensive lineup that ranked first in the National League last year with a .794 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage).

In eight seasons, Desmond is a three-time Silver Slugger winner and two-time all-star. He was a mainstay at shortstop with the Washington Nationals before moving to the outfield with the Texas Rangers last season, where he hit .285 with 22 home runs.

The Rockies will likely have to decide on a starting first baseman to begin the season next month. Mark Reynolds, who signed a minor-league deal in the offseason, was the Rockies starting first baseman last season and was expected to be a utility bench player.

"Mark was a big part of this team last year. He makes a lot of sense," Black said.

Reynolds last season missed time after he broke the Hamate bone in his hand after being hit by a pitch. He is not on the 40-man roster. But his spot with the team now seems set.

Patterson, a minor-leaguer who has the second-most innings at first for the Rockies this spring, may also be in the mix, along with Cardullo, who made his major-league debut late last season. Outfielder Gerardo Parra, who learned the position on the fly last season, could also play the corner.

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